Pop star Rihanna has been proving she’s more muse than clothes horse for a while now – appearing front row at fashion shows and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing.

And now the fashion industry is recognising her as just that – with the Council of Fashion Directors of America naming her the 2014 Fashion Icon of the Year, following in the footsteps of Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Johnny Depp and Nicole Kidman.

CFDA chief executive Steven Kolb said the Barbadian was awarded the honour for her impact on the industry “as fashion’s most exciting ambassador in recent memory.”

The award is given to an individual whose style has made a significant impact on popular culture on an international stage.

The fund also acknowledged Rihanna’s philanthropic parternship with the MAC Cosmetics AIDs fund through her Viva Glam campaign.

Rihanna, who is renowned for taking sartorial risks, will be presented with the award in June.